Center of Gravity Determination and Implications for the War Against Radical Islamic Terrorism
Abstract
This paper examines Carl Von Clausewitz's center of gravity concept and applies it to the war against radical Islamic terrorism. It describes the confusion associated with the concept compares the current doctrinal definition of center of gravity with Clausewitz's likely intent and describes the concepts contemporary importance and applicability. It describes the nature of the threat to U.S. national interests posed by radical Islamic terrorists identifies the enemy and friendly centers of gravity in a U.S.-led war against terrorism and highlights some broad short and long term implications of these centers of gravity for U.S. strategy. This paper starts by looking at the war against terrorism in the abstract before addressing the status of and implications for stated U.S. policies. It provides a broad framework within which a more detailed study of relevant ends ways and means can occur.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 23, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA431756
Entities
People
- Tim Keppler
Organizations
- United States Army War College